Transformation Of Urban Landscape Research Articles

An urbanized phantom tributary subsidizes river–riparian communities of a mainstem gravel‐bed river

Abstract Urbanization transforms natural river channels, and surface water of some rivers disappeared over time. How and whether the subsurface domains of the original waterways and aquifers connecting them (a phantom of historical landscape) are functional is not known. This study examined the effects of tributary groundwater inflow on the response of river–riparian organisms in an alluvial mainstem river in northern Japan, where the tributary disappeared over the course of urban landscape transformation. A 2.8‐km lowland segment of the mainstem gravel‐bed river was examined for water properties and the river–riparian food web. In addition, watershed‐wide water sampling was conducted to isotopically distinguish several types of groundwater that contributed to the hyporheic water in the study segment. Altitude had a clear effect on the hydrogen/oxygen stable isotope ratios in the river water collected across the watershed. Groundwater unique both in chemical and isotopic signatures occurred in several spots within the study segment, and its properties resembled and its upwelling locations matched groundwater from a tributary river whose surface channel disappeared 60 years ago. Positive numerical increases in abundance and/or a sign of nitrogen transfer in river–riparian communities (algae, invertebrates and riparian trees) originating from groundwater high in nitrate with elevated nitrogen stable isotope ratios were found. We demonstrated that tributary groundwater with unique chemical properties manifested by an urban watershed river network continued to have trophic effects on biota across the river–riparian boundary in the mainstem river, even after urbanization transformed the tributary into a phantom river. We highlighted the legacy effects of landscape transformation in the subsurface domain and the significance of scrutinizing the past landscape and hydrological connectivity at the watershed scale in urban environments.

Transforming Urban Landscapes: Reuse of Heritage Sites through Multi-Value Interpretations in Xi’an, China

As a catalyst for urban landscape transformation, the reuse of heritage sites plays a pivotal role in shaping contemporary urban spaces and influencing socio-economic development. However, this phenomenon is not without controversy, particularly regarding the quality of preservation and the potential risks associated with over-commodification. Consequently, there has been an increasing research focus on reconciling these conflicting aspects. This study employs a multi-value interpretation framework to delve into the reuse of heritage sites in the urban area of Xi’an within the broader context of China’s urbanization. Utilizing a comparative case study method, this research specifically examines the burgeoning phenomenon of heritage parks. This exploration sheds light on how the reuse of heritage intertwines with urbanization processes, by taking into account environmental, economic, social, and cultural values. The findings suggest that a multi-value interpretation framework is crucial to address the limitations of the current heritagization. Heritage sites in Xi’an have been integrated into the urban transformation process through heritage conservation and the production of new heritage spaces. However, the evolving multi-value evaluation of these heritage sites continues to influence the city’s interpretation of its significant and fading past in planning. This study highlights the dynamic nature of heritage sites in the urban context and underscores the need for nuanced approaches to balance heritage preservation with the evolving demands of contemporary urban development.

Urban Landscape Transformation During the Covid‐19 Pandemic

Urban Landscape Transformation During the Covid‐19 Pandemic

Learning from the Past: Urban Landscape Transformation Praxis on the Example of Interwar German Housing Estates

In this paper, the incorporation of formerly existing built environment and natural elements was studied in eight housing estates from the interwar period in the Weimar Republic as a part of broader research on landscape transformations. The data on the original state of land development were collected using the comparative cartographic analysis method. The analysis was supplemented by a comparison with iconography, such as aerial photographs, orthoimagery, and, in some cases, manually drafted plans. The results suggest that pre-existing conditions significantly influenced the functional dispositions and urban layout of the estates. These findings add to our understanding of the development of housing estates of the interwar period in the Weimar Republic and the posture of designers and urban planners towards the natural conditions of the respective project sites. This work can be valuable for adding to existing guidelines or principles of urban planning.

Contemporary Transformations of the Historic Urban Landscape of Sarajevo and Social Inclusion as a Traditional Value of a Multicultural Society

The main research question of this paper focuses on the impact of contemporary interventions on the protection of architectural heritage and the transformation of the unique historic urban landscape of Sarajevo, which symbolizes social tolerance. This study examines the tendencies that have been destroying the essence of such a landscape since the beginning of the 21st century. This research primarily relies on the method of direct observation to analyze the ongoing transformation of the urban landscape over the past 25 years. Additionally, previous research findings and relevant documentation regarding the ongoing urban metamorphosis were considered. The historical urban landscape of Sarajevo is the result of complex urban development that began in the mid-15th century. This urban form, still partially recognizable today, reflected prevailing social relationships, particularly the inclusion of different groups instead of their exclusion, which demonstrated tolerance. However, this research shows the incompatibility of today’s neoliberal concept with the preservation of an urban landscape that embodies tolerance and excludes social marginalization.

Role of city sustainability in utilizing the natural resources

This study's primary objective is to assess the impact of a city's sustainability index on the production of green electricity within a selection of 30 Chinese cities spanning the timeframe from 2000 to 2020. The findings unequivocally demonstrate that cities with a strong commitment to sustainability exhibit a marked propensity for expanding their sustainable electricity generation infrastructure. Moreover, the research underscores the pivotal role played by the development of information and communication technology in facilitating sustainable electricity production across these Chinese urban centers. Conversely, variables such as population growth, industrialization, tourism appeal, and poverty rates emerge as significant hindrances to the advancement of sustainable electricity generation in these cities. The implications gleaned from these findings point to a range of actionable policies, including the cultivation of green financial markets within sustainable cities, the digital transformation of urban landscapes, the expansion of ecotourism initiatives, and the implementation of poverty alleviation strategies in the remote regions of China.

Science-design loop for the design of resilient urban landscapes

Urban landscapes face significant challenges, as they must transform towards sustainability while remaining resilient. Urban landscape transformation is a complex task for landscape designers. They must not only create new solutions for landscapes but also ensure that their proposals are capable to deliver and maintain key ecosystems services over time and especially after shocks. In practice, designers must increase their dialogue with scientists and engineers to include expertise on ecosystems functions and services. Through science-design feedback loops, designers can be challenged by scientists’ models and simulations and thus create informed designs. Lastly, stakeholders also catalyse key steps of such a process, in particular by providing local expertise as well as co-constructing and validating the informed designs. In this paper, we introduce a roadmap, centred on an intensive interdisciplinary dialogue – a science-design loop. We illustrate the relevance of this roadmap with the analysis of five case studies about flood management and blue-green infrastructures. We analyse them according to the main steps of our roadmap and with the support of key interviews with experienced practitioners. First, this analysis provides an overview of best practices and challenges in the current urban landscape design world. But above all, we show the relevance of the proposed roadmap to muster science and design in a balanced manner in urban transformations.

Sustainable future: A systematic review of city-region development in bay areas

IntroductionBay Areas are viewed as a complex region with integrated objectives and numerous functions. Despite the increasing interaction between bay area development and urban landscape transformation, the fragmented literature did not address the question: how to achieve sustainable development in the bay area? The objective of this study was to review the literature on four representative bay areas from both the West and the East, including the San Francisco Bay Area, New York Bay Area, Tokyo Bay Area, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This study aimed to address the following two questions: What are the ongoing research trends in the field of bay areas? What are the most critical urban issues for future bay area development?MethodsThis study used a systematic review to examine publications from the Scopus database. Both descriptive and evaluative approaches were employed to analyze the publications on the four representative bay areas. The bibliometric analysis was performed using the VOS viewer to visualize research results and outcomes.ResultsThe results revealed that the majority of the bay area related studies emphasized environmental issues, focused on decentralization and policy interactions, and the field of education received limited attention.DiscussionThis study contributes to the comprehensive understanding of the city-region development and provides policy suggestions for future sustainable bay area development. The findings of the keyword-based bibliometric analysis can be applied to other realms of city studies.

“Urban landscape transformation”. Religious places that also function as secular squares: An ethnographic example from Greek urban space

In this study, we deal with all aspects of the topic of church courtyards of Orthodox churches in urban Greece. As an ethnographic example of this phenomenon, we examine the courtyard of the church of St. Antonios, in the municipality of Peristeri, in Athens. We will focus in the multilevel functions that these spaces have. In addition to their ecclesiastical use, these also function as parks and squares, particularly in towns, where there is little open space and areas of greenery are very limited. As a consequence, church courtyards are frequently used both as parks and as multifunctional spaces that host a multitude of social, cultural and recreational activities. In addition to examining how the space is used, we also look at the feelings experienced by those visiting the area, that is, what they experience when they visit the courtyard and what they feel about the metamorphosis, as it were, that the area undergoes, as manifested by the various activities taking place there during the late afternoon and evening.

Assessment of landscape quality based on the perception of people: study of two parks in Newcastle upon Tyne

People experience different types of landscapes every day. The quality of these landscapes has a major effect on their psychological well-being and general satisfaction of a place. Determining the quality of landscapes is an important issue for policy makers and planners, especially when making decisions about the conservation or transformation of urban landscapes. Defining quality based on people’s perception has received significant attention from planners and decision makers as it can lead to greater public involvement and improve the reliability of the decisions. This research aimed to determine the criteria important for landscape quality assessment by using walk-and-talk interviews in two green landscapes in Newcastle upon Tyne (UK). The attributes affecting people’s choices include naturalness, locomotion, smoothness, surprise, variety, sense of place, tranquillity, rarity, legibility, safety, complexity, mystery, openness, accessibility, maintenance and management. Not all of these attributes have the same weight, as some are more influential in determining people’s preferences, however, categorizing them into primary and secondary attributes, provided a means of evaluating landscape that is less costly and time-consuming.

Infrastructure Development and Waterfront Transformations: Physical and Intangible Borders in Haifa Port City

Constructed on its natural bay as a fortified Muslim town in the late 18th century, Haifa’s port city transformed into a modern cosmopolitan port city in the second half of the 19th century. Significant technological, administrative, and social changes made Haifa into the transportation and economic hub of northern Palestine: Its harbor, the first in the region, became a gate to the east for commodities, pilgrimages, and ideas. British imperialism enlarged it with landfill areas and added an industrial function, constructing refineries and a connecting pipeline with Iraq. Haifa port served as the main entry port for immigration and goods for the newly founded Israeli state. Privatization and neo-liberalization transformed it from national port to international corporate hub, reshaping both port and city. Individual entrepreneurs, local governments, and imperial actions shaped and reshaped the landscape; perforating new access points, creating porous borders, and a new socioeconomic sphere.<strong> </strong>This process persisted through the Late Ottoman era, the British Mandate, and the Israeli state. From the first Ottoman landfills to the sizeable British harbor of 1933, the market economy led urban planning of Haifa’s waterfront and its adjacent railroad to the current Chinese petrol-harbor project. What were the city’s tangible and intangible borders? How did these changes, influenced by local and foreign agendas, unfold? Tapping into built-environment evidence; archival documents (architectural drawings, plans, maps, and photographs); and multidisciplinary academic literature to examine Haifa’s urban landscape transformation, this article studies the history of Haifa’s planned urban landscape—focusing on transformations to the port and waterfront to adjust to new technologies, capital markets, and political needs. We thus explore Haifa port history as a history of porosity and intangibility—rather than the accepted history of European modernization—building upon theoretical literature on global networks and urban form, regional dynamics of port cities, and tangible and intangible border landscapes.

Climate change adaptation and carbon emissions in green urban spaces: Case study of Adelaide

Concentrations of building mass and insufficient greenery in cities are identified to contribute significantly to extended heat stress in the built environment, commonly known as the urban heat island (UHI) effect. This paper presents a scenario-based modelling built on climate change projections and potential alterations of urban greenery in 2030 and 2090 in Adelaide, South Australia. The model is based on regional climate change scenarios, potential urban surface cover alternatives and resulted urban microclimate variations in Adelaide. Projected energy demand variations and corresponding carbon emission are calculated in each scenario. Results indicate that an ideal urban landscape transformation scenario with 30% tree canopy can effectively decrease the surface temperature by 1 °C in winter and 3 °C in summer by 2090. It is estimated that having greener and more heat resilient public spaces could save a total carbon emission of 140,000 tone CO2e in Adelaide annually compared to a business-as-usual scenario. Urban greenery may be used as a mean of increased urban life resilience to climate change by reducing surface temperature, increasing urban resilience and decreasing the energy demand during summer.

Directional and Zonal Analysis of Urban Thermal Environmental Change in Fuzhou as an Indicator of Urban Landscape Transformation

Urban expansion results in landscape pattern changes and associated changes in land surface temperature (LST) intensity. Spatial patterns of urban LST are affected by urban landscape pattern changes and seasonal variations. Instead of using LST change data, this study analysed the variation of LST aggregation which was evaluated by hotspot analysis to measure the spatial dependence for each LST pixel, indicating the relative magnitudes of the LST values in the neighbourhood of the LST pixel and the area proportion of the hotspot area to gain new insights into the thermal effects of increasing impervious surface area (ISA) caused by urbanization in Fuzhou, China. The spatio-temporal relationship between urban landscape patterns, hotspot locations reflecting urban land cover change in space and the thermal environment were analysed in different sectors. The linear spectral unmixing method of fully constrained least squares (FCLS) was used to unmix the bi-temporal Landsat TM/OLI imagery to derive subpixel ISA and the accuracy of the percent ISA was assessed. Then, a minimum change threshold was chosen to remove random noise, and the change of ISA between 2000 and 2016 was analysed. The urban area was divided into three circular consecutive urban zones in the cardinal directions from the city centre and each circular zone was further divided into eight segments; thus, a total of 24 spatial sectors were derived. The LST aggregation was analysed in different directions and urban segments and hotspot density was further calculated based on area proportion of hotspot areas in each sector. Finally, variations of mean normalized LST (NLST), area proportion of ISA, area proportion of ISA with high LST, and area proportion of hotspot area were quantified for all sectors for 2000 and 2016. The four levels of hotspot density were classified for all urban sectors by proportional ranges of 0%–25%, 25%–50%, 50%–75% and 75%–100% for low-, medium-, sub-high, and high density, and the spatial dynamics of hotspot density between the two dates showed that urbanization mainly dominated in sectors south–southeast 2 (SSE2), south–southwest 2 (SSW2), west–southwest 2 (WSW2), west–northwest 2 (WNW2), north–southwest 2 (NSW2), south–southeast 3 (SSE3) and south–southwest 3 (SSW3). This paper suggests a methodology for characterizing the urban thermal environment and a scientific basis for sustainable urban development.

Ecological reliance, biodiversity and pollination potentials in Bangalore urban gardens

Urban agriculture is an ancient concept that is gaining momentum in the tier II metro cities in connection with urban renewal projects and efforts to mediate urban food deserts. These agriculture efforts represent a potential habitat for pollinator communities within the urban landscape. Pollinator communities are threatened by urban landscape transformation, and bee species, in particular, are in a state of global decline due to various stressors. Urban agriculture has the potential to sustain both human and ecological communities, and the pollinators that visit gardens may provide pollination to plant species in the surrounding area. We investigated the influence of urban land use on pollinator populations in Bangalore to (i) quantify pollinators visiting urban gardens and (ii) compare pollinator frequency and occurrences among urban gardens, vacant lots (abandoned with no management) and manicured lawns. Three sites were chosen around the Bangalore, an urban garden, a lawn, and a vacant lot. Phytometers were used to monitor the frequency of pollination within the sites. We discovered that the amount of pollinator frequency increased with the flora diversity of the lots. With the manicured lawn having the fewest pollinator visits and the managed urban garden having the most pollinator visit. We saw a relationship between human landscaping and the pollinator communities. From this data we have a better understanding of the effect of the urban landscape on pollinators that will lead to a better use of vacant lots and urban spaces within the city of Bangalore.

The Effects of Franco-Siamese Treaties on Ubon Ratchathani Urban Landscape Transformation

In the written history, Ubon Ratchathani, most documents point out that the urban areas have developed and changed because of the administrative reforms from Bangkok since the reign of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V. While this domestic cause has certainly been at play, there is another cause connected to foreign colonisation of the Indochina area. French troops forced Siam to accept the Franco-Siamese treaty in 1893, which affected the boundaries of Siam near the Mekong River. This article will address the effects of Franco-Siamese treaties on the Ubon Ratchathani urban landscape, and will highlight the urban elements which currently contribute to the urban attributes.

The study of urban landscape visual sensitivity assessments: a case study in the Zhongshan District of Dalian

ABSTRACTThis paper uses slope, distance,visual probability and remarkableness as evaluation indices to study urban landscape visual sensitivity in the Zhongshan District of Dalian. The results show that areas of high sensitivity account for 14.12% of the total area, these areas should be protected. Moderate sensitivity areas occupy 2.66%, urban landscape transformation should be carried out properly. Low-sensitivity areas accounted for only 0.74%, the utilization of vegetation and the construction of public facilities can be carried out in these areas. Areas classified as insensitive account for 82.48%, this is a potential zone where the urban landscape can be developed.

Urban Farming – The Ecological, Spatial and Social Factors of Urban Landscape Transformation

Abstract Subject and purpose of work: The subject of the study is urban farming and examples of urban gardens built in selected cities in North America and Europe. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of urban farming on urban landscape. Materials and methods: A case study - analysis of the ecological, spatial and social aspects of selected examples. Results: The idea of urban farming is gaining popularity and every year there are more urban gardens in cities in North America and Europe. There are several dozen urban gardens in Poland. Their structure is diversified so as to meet the needs of local communities. The character and scale of urban farming is diversified. These gardens satisfy aesthetic, scenic, ecological, social and even economic needs of small communities. They enrich the urban landscape with new, seasonally changeable enclaves of utility and aesthetic greenery. Conclusions: Urban farming is an ecological, social and spatial factor and a favourable alternative to urban landscape transformations. The development of urban farming should be successively supported by local authorities.

Landmark Buildings as Vehicle for Cultural Sustainability: The Case of Kolkata

Urban transformation is an inevitable process in today’s metropolises. In the past, transformations in urban landscape turned cities into harmonious and responsive spaces but today they only begat unfairness and instability along with social-cultural urban crisis .The reason for this is twofold; firstly majority of modern cities today are ‘living collages’ of ‘heterogeneous patches’ and are shaped by unpredictable addition, alterations and transformations .Secondly these cities are melting pots of differences , where by virtue of proximity, citizens are forced to confront, and reconcile with their differences. Under these circumstances, character and image of most cities especially ones embedded in historical layers are getting eroded leading to an identity crisis spread over the entire urbanistic domain. Though, in recent years, various sustainability discourses have been put forward to address these issues, but their utter neglect of socio-cultural and conceptual aspects of urbanscape have failed to make them effective .Therefore, a new approach to sustainability which puts socio-cultural cues and continuity in the forefront needs to be established. This paper fuels this thought by claiming that cultural sustainability is the most appropriate mediator of urban transformations and varied interpretation of ‘place’ is inherent to its understanding. ‘Physical Landmarks’ are then established as carriers of cultural codes as they connect the ‘memories and prophecies’ ,’structures and events’ as well as ‘participants and exhibits’ pertaining to a city and various attributes of landmarks are investigated to understand their roles as identity builders and retainers Next, the paper suggests the essential relationships between quality and attributes of landmarks and successful urban transformation considering a few case studies from the city of Kolkata, an urban metropolis of India with more than 300 years of historical legacy.

Modeling the Impact of Urban Landscape Change on Urban Wetlands Using Similarity Weighted Instance-Based Machine Learning and Markov Model

Urban wetlands play important roles in providing several ecosystem services that support the urban environment. As such, scientists have studied them to understand the urban processes that lead to their continued decline. However, little attention has been given to the drivers of land-use change that may affect this fragile ecosystem in the future. Understanding this could serve as a critical step towards urban wetland management and sustainability. In this study, we utilized an integrated approach that combined Similarity Weighted Instance-based Machine Learning and Markov chain, both embedded in the IDRISI Land Change Modeler to simulate change in the landscape of three watersheds in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. The purpose was to assess the possible future impacts of urban expansion-induced landscape change on wetlands within the study area, using a retrospective approach. To achieve this, classified SPOT satellite data covering the three watersheds were used to generate historical land cover maps of the study area between 1992 and 2010 to analyze changes to the landscape. In addition, the study identified several drivers of land change associated with the historical change process in the study area, and accounted for their role in the modeling process. On this basis, the study made the prediction of urban landscape transformation to the end date of 2014. The prediction result was verified with a more accurate map that was derived from independently classifying a 2014 SPOT image of the study area. Results from this study show that impervious surfaces, which were used as an index of urban expansion, may increase by approximately the same magnitude experienced historically, which may result in a small but significant loss of wetlands and other land cover classes within the study area.

Un «titulus pictus» con titulatura imperial de «Carthago Nova» y puntualizaciones a la dinámica urbana de la ciudad a inicios del S. III D. C.

The archaeological and epigraphic record in Carthago Nova suggests that the colony underwent a period of instability and urban retreat during the second half of the 2 nd and the 3 rd century ad. This was probably triggered by the slowing down of economic activity, a shrinking population and collapse of local institutions and the crisis of evergetism. The process caused a substantial transformation of urban landscapes and a reduction of the size of the inhabited areas; the interruption of the epigraphic habit, the abandonment, looting and reoccupation of public areas and buildings; the pulling down of domestic buildings; and the insufficient maintenance of the urban road network. This has led some specialists to suggest that the city lost importance, and even that it could have been totally abandoned during the second half of the 2 nd and, especially, the 3 rd century ad. The recent discovery of the substantial transformation of the Atrium Building ( Insula i Molinete) in the early 3 rd century ad, and of a titulus pictus which mentions the consuls for the year, Heliogabalus and the prefect of the praetorium Adventus , which dates the final date for the refectio in 218 ad, resituates the debate around the retreat of the urban centre in the 2 nd and 3 rd centuries ad.